An investigation of bicomponent polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) melt blown microfiber nonwovens

This work studied polypropylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PP/PET) bico MB microfiber nonwovens, including the effects of processing conditions on fiber and web properties, process/structure/property relationships, and spinline dynamics. It was conducted in the 24-inch Reicofil® MB pilot line with bicomponent MB capability.; The Response Surface Methodology was employed for experimental design and statistical analysis. It remarkably reduced number of runs for the most important information, investigated all selected factors as a whole, and predicted their effects on the properties of interest (responses).; Phase 1 concentrated on the preliminary determination of the processing conditions of 100% PP and 100% PET. Thermal analysis and Theological measurements suggest that PP_35MFR/PET is a better pair for bico melt blowing. The bico filaments possess a side-by-side cross-sectional geometry.; Phase 2 focused on the processing of PP/PET bico MB nonwovens and the process-structure-property relationships.; Phase 3 focused on spinline dynamics to develop a fundamental understanding of the PP/PET bico MB process. These results provide fundamental information to explain the observations of fiber attenuation and web structure development.; Based on the findings of this study and the literature review, several recommendations were also made for further investigation of bico MB microfiber nonwovens.